KONAN UNIVERSITY

Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research(FIBER)

A base for research on nano-bio science and technology

The Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER) was established in November 2003 as a center of excellence for advanced research and education in the field of biomolecular technology. In April 2009, FIBER was moved to the Port Island area in Kobe, together with establishing a new faculty of Konan University named FIRST (Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology). FIBER is an institute promoting innovative research and education under the highest global standards in the field of biomolecular science and engineering. In addition, FIBER contributes the development of scientific technologies as well as the general development of local communities through global collaborations with industry, government, and academic institutions.
Based on this, FIBER mainly promotes the following activities.

  • ● Establishment of an international institute for academic innovation through a wide range of research projects in a coherent manner from basic science to advanced technological research
  • ● Development of novel technology for pre-emptive therapeutics and engineering based on nucleic acids, which differs from genetic engineering methods established to date
  • ● Promotion of research collaborations with industry, government, and academic institutes
  • ● Accomplishment of leading-edge research and development of world-class researchers in the field of nanobiotechnology
  • ● Activities to make our advanced accomplishments available to the public and bring their benefits to society
Name Title Field of Research Subject of Research
MURASHIMA, Takashi Professor Organic Synthesis Synthesis of novel organic compounds interacting with biomolecules
ENDOH, Tamaki Associate Professor Cellular Engineering, Biomolecular Engineering Application of artificial RNA-protein conjugates for cellular engineering. Analyses of RNA conformational transition essential for intracellular gene regulation
SUGIMOTO, Naoki Distinguished Professor Biophysical Chemistry Nucleic acids chemistry
TAKAHASHI, Shuntaro Associate Professor Biophysical Chemistry Biophysical studies of nucleic acids and related enzymatic reactions under high pressure
TATEISHI-KARIMATA,Hisae Associate Professor Biochemistry Functionalized nucleic acids using molecular environments. Quantitative analysis for biomolecular interactions toward development of nanobio-materials
TSURUOKA, Takaaki Associate Professor Inorganic Photochemistry Development of nanostructured materials with novel optical properties and their applications to optical and biological devices
NAKANO, Shu-ichi Professor Biomolecular Function Investigation of the biomolecular functions and interactions toward nanobiotechnology